The New York Herald Newspaper, December 15, 1878, Page 5

WASHINGTON. Provision Made to Continue the Postal Car Service, SENATOR CONOVER’S CASE. Statement, from the Treasury Con- cerning Specie Payments. THAT GENEVA AWARD. Congress Agrees to Duplicate the Manhat- tan Savings Bank Bonds. CONSIDERING APPROPRIATION BILTS. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES, Wasmincton, Dee. 14, 1878, INVESTIGATING THE CHARGES MADE AGAINST SENATOR CONOVER CONCERNING THE HOT SPRINGS CLAUSE. The Senate committee investigating the omission of the Hot Springs clause from last session’s Sundry Civil Appropriation bill heard Mr. Kenneth Raynor, Solicitor of the Treasury, this morning. He testified that Benson came to him and stated that he had suf- ficient evidence to convict Senator Conover of complicity with the transaction, and desired his (Raynor's) law clerk to go with him before the Grand Jury to have him (Conover) indicted. Witness told Benson he should wait until his chief (Mr. Brooks) returned from California, and that as the reputation of men high in position was involved he should be very carcful to be sure of his ground. Btilson Hutchins, publisher of the Washington Post, testified that a member of the Capitol police came to his office and related a conversation he had overheard between one of the clerks at the Capitol and another party, and said that if the clerk could be locked up information about the missing clause could probably be obtained, Search was made for the clerk named, but not finding him, the statement of the officer was printed. The next day Benson came to the office, wanted to know where the information came from, asked that no more publication be made, as it might defeat the end of justice and prevent the discovery of the person who abstracted the clause. Benson said if further publication was suppressed he would in two days give them a fall statement of the case exclusively, He came at the end of two days and said he had traced up the matter and could convict Senator Conover his clerk, Rice, and John Y. Foster. The statement made by by Benson Mr. Hutchins wrote.out himself, _ supposing Benson desired it kept from the employés of the Js, It was set in type and submitted to Benson, who said it was substantially correct, but begged that it might not be printed, as it would ruin him at the Secret Service Division for having divulged the secrets of the bureau. Benson said if its publi- cation was held up he would give additional facts at the proper time, which should be for the Post ex- clusively. The iatter was kept in type a month, daring whicn Benson frequently reiterated his statement as to its truth, and said he would haye Senator Conover in the Penitentiary in a month. Witness kept the article in type until from in- quiri¢s clscwhere he ascertained that Benson hed de- ceived him and was likely to get him into a scrape if it wes published, and then had it distributed. ‘These witnosses were called by Senator Conover to show malignity toward him on the part of Benson. Two or three witnesses who had been summoned failing to appear the committee adjourned to meet again at the call of the chairman. SECRETARY SHERMAN AGAIN CALLS ATTENTION TO THE SUBJECT OF SPECIE RESUMPTION. The Sceretary Of! the Treasury this afternoon is- sued the following circular of instructions concern- ing the resuniption of specie payments :— ‘Treasury DEPARTMENT, | Wasminuton, Dec, 14, 1878. j The following provision of laW and instructions thereunder are published for the information and guidance of all concerned :— 4 An Act to provide tor the rey mption of specie payments, ° . . . Sxetiox 3, * * © and on and after the first da: uary, anno domini 1879, th nthe nv their Assistant of Jan. ion will be to remove ae of coin and notes ‘ping, blic officers: involving transactions which equently to that date. Matured coupons of the United States and check: issued by the Treasure i terest or principal of the public debt by law payable in coin, will be paid by the Assistant Treasurer of the United States at New York, upon presen’ on, in coin, or, if the claimant prefers, such coupons or $ Will be paid by the said Assistant Treasurer or ny other independent Treasury officer in United States notes. Such registered interest payable by law in coin, as is paid on schedules at any other cities than New York, will also be paid the claimant in coin by check on the Assistant Treasurer of the United States at New York, which check may be cashed in United States notes if the holder prefer, or, if the claimant refer, such interest may be paid to him direct in Jnited States notes by the otticer charged with the payment of the schedule. ‘Any check or draft hereafter drawn in payment of 8 public obligation by law payable in coin, will have that fact plainly noted thereon, JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary. APPROPRIATION FOR POSTAL CAR SERVICE. The House Committee on Appropriations this morning agreed to recommend the passage by the House of # special deftefeucy ill) appropriating the | amount of $450,000 required for the continuance. of the present railway postal car service throughout the current fiscal year, MONEY TO PROVIDE FOR THE REDS, The commiittee also completed the Indian Appro- priation Dill, As agreed to in committee, the bill ap- propriates in the aggregate $4,710,000, which is but $57 Ices than the appropriation for the current year, DIPLOMATIC AND NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS, The Committee on Appropriations this afternoon heard Secretaries Thompson and Evarts, with refer- ence to the Naval and Consular and Diplomatic Ap- propriation bills, and subsequently prepared both of theso bills for report to the Senate next Monday, The committee amended the Consnlar and Diplomatic Dill so ae to make it conform precisely to the present Jaw, thts @isfegarding the changes proposed by the House of Representatives. The Naval Appropriation bill will be reported to the Senate without material amendment; the only change being to grant a small additional amount for the purchase of provisions. MERCHANTS OF NEW YORK LOWKING AFTER THEIR RIGHTS. Acommittee of the New York Chamber of Com- mierce, consisting of Messrs. Guiou, Haigh and Gre- noll, with their counsel, Mr. DeKay, wero heard to day before the Committeo of Ways and Means in ad- vooacy of a bill, originally introduced by Mr. Fer- nando Wood at the last session of the House, giving to merchants the same rights which are claimed by the government as regards the subsequent adjustment and correction of errors in the imposition and collection of customs duties. The bill, which has been referred to the Committee of Ways and Means provides that duties wrongtully of erroneously imposed or collected shall be recoverable by the importer at any time within ten years from the date of payment, upon presenta- tion of satisfactory proof of the justice of the claim for reimbursement, Assistant Secretary French and Mr. dames, the chief of the Customs division of the ‘Treasury Department, were heard in opposition to tho bill, and there ensued o long and animated dis- cussion of the whole question. It was finally decided to. postpone further consideration of the subject until next week, when Assistant Sevretary French | take the NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1878.—QUADRUPLE SHEET—WITH and Mr. James are to furnish the committce with written opinions upon the questions involved, AN INJUNCTION ASKED AGAINST THE TEXAS PACIFIC RAILROAD. A Dill of complaint against the Texas Pacific Rail- road Company has been filed in the District of Colum- bia Supreme Court by Pierre Foyolle and thirty-nine others, all citizens of France, except Mr. Hyde, of Vermont, in which, in behalf: of themselves and of other owners of land grant bonds of the Memphis, El Paso and Pacific Railway Company, they pray that the Texas Pacific Railway Company be restrained | from the transfer or sale of its stock or other prop- erty, and say they are interested to the amount of about $300,000, but have not received any dividend or payment thereon, and they pray for such further re- lief as the nature of the case requires and as shall be agreeable to equity. ARREST OF A NOTED COUNTERFEITER. The Secret Service division of the Treasury is in- formed of the arrest at Washington, Ind., of John McCarthy for pussing counterfeit half dollars, MeCarthy is a noted counterfeiter, and has been very successful in passing spuricus coin, He was released on $5,000 bail, CHOLERA AND STARVATION IN MOROCCO. Despatches received at the Department of State from the American Cousni at Tangier give deplorable acconnts of the condition of affairs in Morocco, The cholera still ravages the country, and unless the ont- side world comes to the rehef of the people a fearful decimation of the population by starva- tion threatens the land. At Casa Blanca 1,369 deaths by cholera, smallpox and typhoid fever oc- curred in thirty-seven days. The misery at Tangier caused by the cessation of business as well as by the epidemic is on the increase, the only communication with the outside world being with Gibraltar semi- monthly for flour and other food supplies. Cholera and famine are carrying off hundreds in the City of Morocco, At Safi and Mogador the epidemic still prevails. Atasmall village near Alcazar the cholera and fever swept off thirty-six out of thirty-seven of its inhabitants. PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE. PASSAGE OF THE BILL DUPLICATING THE MAN- HATTAN SAVINGS BANK BONDS—WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE GENEVA AWARD BAL- ANCE ?—MR. FRYE'S ARGUMENT. Wasuinatoy, Dec. 14, 1878. Mr. Woop, (dem.) of N. ¥., chairman of the Com- tee on Ways and Means, reported back the Senate bill authorizing the issue of ccrtain duplicate regis- tered bonds for the benefit of the Manhattan Savings Institution of New York. Mr. Conazn, (rep.) of Mich., inquired if all the bonds referred to were registered bonds. Mr. Woop replied that they were. It was important that the bill should pass immediately; otherwise the institution might have to go into bankruptcy. Mr. KeLiey, (rep,) of Pa., said that if the bill were not passed the managers of the institution would cither havp to close up the savings bank or else ne- gotiate for the purchase of the stolen bonds, and thus reward the most flagrant burglary ever perpetrated, even in New York, ‘The bill was then passed. Mr. Puu.tirs, (rep.) of Kan., submitted a resolu- tion reciting the late Indian raids in Kansas and Nebraska and the capture of the marauders, and calling on the Secretary of the Interior for informa- tion as to why he had not surrendered the guilty and responsible parties of such Indian bands to the authorities of Kansas and Nebraska. Adopted. Mr. Buiss, (dem.) of N. ¥., presented a communica- tion from the Mayor of the city of Brooklyn and a resolution of the Common Council of that city in favor of the passage of a bill granting a pension to Mrs. Ann M. Paulding, widow of the late Rear Ad- iniral Paulding, of the United States Navy. Referred. THE GENEVA AWARD BALANCE, ‘The House then resumed the consideration of the Geneva Award bill and was addressed by Mr. Frrx, (rep.) of Me., in favor of the minority report. He was not afraid of attacks made upon him again and again by every insurance lobbyist, and he could en- dure the assaults of the hired ‘press because he op- posed the claims of the insurance companies. The majority of the Judiciary. Committee had been pre- part yery neon is 9 ce should have been ent a companies,” because it ad, Dill which w. give reli coe one but insurance companies. He gave a history of the attempts of the insurance companies to get the bill now by the majority through previous Congresses, when they had always failed. In the course of his remarks he mentioned the name of Mr. Lathers as a lobbyist. * ‘Mr. Writs, (dem.) of N. Y., vehemently denied that Mr. Lathers was a lobbyist. Mr. TowNsEND, (rep. N. Y., made some inaudible remark, to which Mr. W1..18 replied that Mr. Lathers was the peer of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Townsend) and should not be axsatled on the floor where he had no chance of replymg. Mr. Frve said that it was a little remarkable that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Willis) should fly into such a passion becatise an insurance attorney had simply been named. Mr. Wiitis—lt was a gentleman that was named. Mr. Frve—May not an insurance attorney be a gen- tleman ¢ Mr. Winiis—Undoubtedly, I'm speaking the facts as to Mr. Lathers, Mr. Frye—Did he not write an argument? Mr. Wiiias—Yes; one which you will find it im- possible to answer. INSURANCE LOBBYISTS AT WORK. Mr. Fryr—We will see as to that. He proceeded to argue against the majority report. Had the United States become the agent of the Atlantic Mutual In- surance Company to recover from Great Britain money to put into coffers which had ground ont $6,000,000 from the poor siipowners? He instanced the case of the Columbian Insurance Company, which had a clatm here for €1,000,000, One of his clients had had a ship insured by that company, which ship was burned by one of the implicated cruisers, The company had litigated the claim, and within a week of the final judgment against it had gone into bankrupt turning over into the hands receiver only $400,000, Out of that his client got only five per cent of his claim, while $150,000 of it was paid as fees to New York lawyers, including David Dudley Field. He also crit- icised the Atlantic Mutual Company, which had now in its coffers $6,000,000 and which was now pressing this claim, Of all the mutual insurance companies that had done business on war premiums twenty-two had failed and gone out of business. He also in- stanced the Boylston Insurance Company, which had a claim of $150,000 against this fund. That company was also bankrupt and thisclaim had been sold at pub- lic auction in the streets of Boston and had been bought in for $5,000 by an agent of the Atlantic Mutual. If these companies were to get this claim of $6,000,000. where would the money go? Would it not first have to go to the payment of tre debts of these bankrupt concerns? : SCHEMES OF BANKRUPT COMPANIES. The unpaid liabilities of only seventeen of these bankrupt cony a (ni The war pre- mium men did not want apy bankrupt concerns to . They did’ not want any receiver of the Atl Mutual to take it and to have to bring a suit at law to compel him to diegorge it. The New Bedford mutual insurance companies that had not failed were strictly mutual insurance com; jes and did not claim any of this fund, but said let it be paid to the war premium men. The amendment which the minority recommended, and which he advocated, was to exclude the insurance companies unless they could show net losses, That was an amendment which had been carried in the House three times at least, while the opponents of it had never counted thiriy-five. Jt was an amend- ment which would make it absolutely certain that the insurance companies would not take this six millions and divide it among themselves. The atnendment would give the money to the men who had actually suffered by reason of the English cruisers, and they were the war premium men. He quoted in- stances where ship owners had to pay 14, and 30 percent war premiums, and he particularized one instance where a vessel of A. A. Low's, of Now York, bad taken « from China to New York, and where the profits were not enough to pay the cook's Wages, while a ship sailed by Captain McGillivry, of Maine, which made the same vo; (after bein; nominally transferred to an English owner), netted ‘$64,000, “In conciusion Mr. Fyne said:—There are sands of men in my own Stato, who were utterly poor, who are honseless and homeless, because they sold their ships under the American flag in a tine of war and paid the penalty becar the government was powerless to protect them. wity which these men have paid for their patrivt- is poverty—poverty, too, purchased in part ot insurance companies which claim here to: the reward of reducing these men to poverty. War, thank God, is over. The feelings generated in it are fast disappearing. So rapidly have they disappeared that I dare stand 1 nd appeal to the gentlemen who fonght on the other side—appeal to them in the name of the flag to-day, in the name of the country which is theirs and ours—to see to it that justice and mercy shall prevail on this great question, MN, STENGER'S ARGUMENT, Mr. STENGER, (dein.) of Pa., supported the majority Dill because it did not decide between the rival claimants. It was not necessary for him to give an opinion, one way or the other, as to how the money should be appropriated. It was not a question whether he agreed with the gentleman from Maino (Mr. Frye), who, by the way, represented a district interested to the amount of a million dollars’, pay- iment of war premiting, or whether he agreed with those who represented the insnrance companies, It was Jett toa tribunal wninfinenced by section to aay to whom the money should be paid. The bill was not What the insurance companies wanted or what the war premium men wanted. It proposed that there should be no discrimination between the par- ties who go into the court. The bill stood between the rival claimants avd sent then all to the Court of Claims, He contended that that was the proper disposition to be made of the subject. The question would be decided in the court aecord- | ing to the law of nations, according to equity and ac- cording to justice. Could anybody ask more than that’ He defended th» bi and the report because he believed them to be right and because he believed that it would be anything else than right to say that any set of claimants to the fund should be excluded from the distribution. He also repudiated the idea of turning the fund into the Treasury, and thought that such a disposition of it would tarnish the na- tional honor, : ‘The bill was then laid over until next Tuesday. Adjourned, OHIO'S GOVERNORSHIP. SENATOR THURMAN DECLINES TO PUT HIMSELF IN THE HANDS OF HIS ¥RIENDS—WHAT MIGHT HAVE YORCED A BATTLE ROYAL AMONG THE BUCKEYES, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Cincrsxatr, Dee. 14, 1878. During tho past week there hus been a strong Movement on the part of the democrats of Ohio to bring forward the name of Senator Thurman as their candidate for Governor inthe next campaign. ‘Thur- man's prospects as a Presidential candidate for 180 |; are likely to be made or marred by the result in Ohio of the Gubernatorial campaign of next year, and his friends, believing this, argued that the eafest plantocarry Ohio was to nominate Thurman for Governor, with a strong candidate for Lieutenant Governor to help him carry the ticket through. Thurman, they claimed, was five thousand votes stronger than any other democrat whose name could be mentioned, and they believed that if he could be elected Governor, and thus hold Ohio as a democratic State, he would become foremost among Presidential aspirants in 1880. Of course there was corresponding danger to be considered. If he failed to carry his State for Governor it would injure or almost ritin his chances for the higher posi- tion, though they thought he could well take the risk on one hand to gain the advantage on the other, The plan was first broached in the Cincinnati Buquirer a week ago, aud alinost every democratic paper in the Stats indorsed it favorably.” Besides this, hundreds of Judge Thurman’s friends wrote him letters urging him to give consent to the use of his name, ‘THURMAN DECLINES, Even with all this pressure he declines _peremptor- ily in an interview which appears in the Enquirer, In response to a direct question whether he will consent or not Judge Thurman says:—To every person who has suggested to me that I should be our carididate for Governor I have rep'ied that I could not consent. ‘The more I have reflected on the subject the better satisfied Lam that the interests of the party do not require me to make that race, and certainly my being requires that I should” not undergo the trial and strain of mind and body that a canvass for that office would necessitate. Besides, there are very worthy men of the party, either one of whom would make a good candidate, and whose friends desire their nomination; and it would be an ungracious thing in mo to interfere with their ‘There are other and very strong why I shonld not be the candidate, it is unnecessary to state them. Indeed, it is with reluctance that I say anything upon the subject, for there is a seeming pre- sumption in the. declination of a thing that has not and may never be offered; but inasmuch as some of our papers haye come out for my nomina- tion, and I'am informed by a letter from a friend at Columbus, received this morning, that it ix rumored that they haye done so with my approbation, it ix proper for me to’ say that such ix not the case, and that my mind is firmly made up not to run for the Goyernorship.” Tho correspondent asked him next if this decision was final and irrevocable. Thurman's rejoinder was, “It ix final, I cannot subject myself to the stroin of snch a canvass, Ihave just gone through a canvass which few men of my age would have attempted, and I do not feel that it woutd be justice to my phy: cal condition to so soon go throtgh another equally as exciting. Again, how preposterous for me to say that I will accept a crown which is not offered!”* “But then, Judge, when it’s within your grasp ?” TuvrMaN—I cannot and will not consent to be a candidate, but SHER, Vs. THUR, It was asserted here to-day with confidence by poli- ticians on both sides that had Thurman consented to allow the use of his name or given any ground for believing that he would allow it, the republicans would have insisted upon Secretary Sherman resign- ing his place in the Cabinet to come home and run as their cendidate against him, and thus have, made abattle royal for the Governship, with Presidential nowinations in the background for both candidates, LOUISIANA REPUBLICANS. A REPRESENTATIVE MAN SENT TO WASHINGTON TO CLEAR UP A CLOUDY TRANSACTION—EX- GOVERNOR WELLS AT HOME, (BY TELEGRAPH 46 THE HERALD.) ‘New-Orn:EANs, Dee. 14, 1878. A prominent republican, it is rumored, goes to Washington to-morrow, it is supposed in the interest of the whole party here, for the purpose of making certain matters clear which now unfortunately aro imagined to be inexplicable. The exact and precise poiut in the mission, however, is enveloped in the most profound mystery. Those who have mado some good guesses at truth, however, suppose it to be connected with certain complications in reference to one of the recent unfortunate republican nomina- tions, on which it is stated the authorities in Wash- ington are most anxious to have some light.” From the well known ability of the gentlemen charged with the mission it is supposed that the whole com- plication can be explained to the satisfaction of the government. Ex-Governor J, Madison Wells arrived here yesterday, and assumes again the duties of his ce, Which have been seriously interrupted by sick- ness and the labors of the late campaign. The cx- Governor seems to have suffe much from both, and looks weary and SOUTH CAROT A COLORED MAN EXPRESSES THE OPINION THAT LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT, WITHOUT NORTH- EQN INTERFERENCE, 18 DESIRABLE. Cuan estoy, Dec, 12, 1878, To THE Eprror or tar HEranp:— Believing that you desire to publish what is truo of the South, I beg the favor of an insertion of this communication. Your correspondent has been mis- informed when he says, referring to the recent clec- tion in this State, that “during the canvass Governor Hampton came to Charleston to «peak, and he spoke, not for the man who openly and bravely stood on the Hampton policy, but against him.’ Now, I say, and say it emphatically—for I stood within twenty feet of Governor Hampton—that the Governor spoke in the kindliest manner of Mr. Campbell, regretting only the mistake he thought he had made; and therefore Governor Hampton has not stooped, neither can he stoop, to obtain any place within the gift of any people of the universe. How astonishing it is that so much sympathy is felt for the poor injured colored man; he is made the pretext for the now violent denuncia- tions of the South. Why, sir, the peace and quiet- hess now existing among us should be suflicient evi- dence to silence the tales sent North by those disap- pointed politicians who know their occupations are gone, but tremblingly hope that something may turn up to benefit them, Tknow that a federal officer is supposed to bea gentleman. If the characters of many of the appoint- ments in this section were realized by the Northern people, the prosecutions for perjury would not call forth one single wail of sympathy. ‘Tho opinion of a colored man is this, that if the North would leave the South to manage its own local affairs, it would be better for all parties concerned.+ The South will never again bo dominated by unscrupulous whites and ignorant blacks. If the 3 th now eces that an error has been committed in forcing unlimited frage, the remedy is not to. be found in denouncing hites of the South, The colored peop this outside of the politicians and the ir parasites, are satixfied with democratic rule; they desire peace- ful relations with those with whom they live, and, therefore, it is cruelty to get up an oxcitement on their account that wil] not benefit, bué injure them, SAMUEL R. COX. BAD FOR HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS. Povenxegerste, Dev. 14, 1878, Judge Barnard made an important decision in the Supreme Court this morning, and Which will prob- ably cause a panic among the Highway Commission- ers of the State, Some time ago a valuable horse was driven on a defective bridge in the town of La Grange. The bridge gave way and the horse was killed, The owner sued the town for damages, and after one or two trials succeeded in obtaining jhag- ment to the amount of $3,609, The Town Auditors audited the bill and it was sent to the Board of Supervisors, and that body assessed the amount on the town, Immediately a mandamus was served upon the Board requiring it to show cause why the amount should not be asses upon the Highway Commissioners and all the parties appeared in court this morning. After a hearing Judge Barnard de- tlded that. the defective bridge was not the fault of the town, but of the Highway Commissioners, who had neglected their duty, for which the town was not responsible, and therefore the Highway Commissiou- ers inuat pay the bill, The decision las caused a flutters in not only the Board of Supervisors, but in legal circles, and one Supervisor said, “I will not be surprised if, after the decision is known, over one- halt of the Highway Commissioners in the county will resign.” “That's all right,” said-another Super- vi for after this the office will seck the man and not the nian the office,’ 2 f AMUSEMENTS. ACADEMY OF MUSIC—“‘LA SONNAMBULA.” Suburban New Yorkers, who usually make one-half the Saturday matinee audiences, aided to give the Academy of Music a delightful appearance y: at the representation of Gerster was in exquisite voice, and her acting had that graceful simplicity which always overpowers the hearts of both the yrave and the gay. Her encores were honest and sympathetic. She had reason yes- terday to be prond of her reception, though, for that matter, so long as she xings so purely and acts so naturally she has no need to think of audiences at all. Signor Fo'i was in very good voice, and the tender- ness with which he sated Amina was well acted, We wonld like to say a better word for Signor Frapolii than his singing permits us to do, for he was very earnest in his endeavors, ‘The large audience yesterday afternoon seemed to enjoy itself mmusually. It is the lewening of suburban maidens which makes the matince of a first class opera or play so enjoyable. There is for this reason afreshness about 4 matinée which no other performance hus. GLOBE THEATRE-—ONLY A FARMER'S DAUGHTER. ent. the adventures . Lariva Don ing, the farmer's daughter. Miss Lillie her Stark, the teri Haverty ~Mume. Tan €, Mi » Miss A gesci Mario Bertram, 4 handsome face, but a ed heart. i w twas broken... wow my own", : 4 Something over a year ago a well-known publish- ing house struck a new lead in working the wornout mine offiction in an ephemeral book with a catching title, that ina few months attained the enormous circulation of 125,000 copies. Rival publishers, after the American manner, rushed in after “That Hus- band of Mine,” with other members of the houre- hold, The mother-in-law was not ignored, and even Biddy was celebrated in the hecdless scramble for the hal dollars that the people seemed so ready to drop in the excitement of the moment, when these “pot boiler” brochures with the inevitable “mine” terminations were so recklessly bought up. Now the playwrights and the “daughters”? have their turn, No sooner had Mr. Palmer thrown his hat into the ring at the Union Square with “The Bauker’s Daughter” than visions of a pastoral daugh- ter aroxe from the mouldy sawdust of the long neg- lected Globe, aud, taking ‘shape at last, a thrilling melodrama from the pen of Mr. William E. Barnes re- sulted, which was duly present last night under the mawagement of Mr. Frank B. Murtha. The play is in a prologue and four acts. Its dialogue is diffuse and inelegant, aud movement and action lacking; but there are strony points of tional interest quite sufficient to impress a not over critical audience. The plot of the piece is not original, It may haye been suggested by “Pique,” or, possibly, by “Divorce."* An adventur- ess deliberately sows the seeds of discord between a married couple, to further her own purposes, and the usual harrowing misery and suffering, such acoil, are depicted’ in the principal scenes by the players. ‘The described upon the Dilbs as) unpre In some respects it was—to wit, in the weakness of the impersonations of some of the male characters. The two principa lady parts were acted far better than the play de- served, and Mr. Chippendale was admirable in his not over arduous ré/e. ‘The remaining male parts were not expecially yrateful o though they called for better treatment than w m to then. The pruning knife should be freely used to trim the play into presentable shape. The very moderate prices now charged at this house insured a full at- tendance. STEINWAY HALL—OLE BULL, Amore fashionable or appreciative audience has not for a long time congregated in Steinway Hall than that which last night assembled to give welcome to the great violinist who brings to us the memories of Paganini and interprets the rich voluptuous music belonging to his peculiar school, The name of Ole Bull, surrounded as it is with many musical associations, is well calculated to attract a great throng, but when embraced in the announce- ment of an entertainment are such other names as those of Miss Minnie Hauk and Signor Galassi, and an orchestra under the direction of Sig- nor Arditi, of the Mapleson opera troupe, it is not a wonder that the occasion should be memorable. The programme in all of its features showed excellent taste, for the selections from begin- ning to end afforded pleasure. They were as follows:—Overture, “Gazz1 Ladra,"’ Rossini, orches- tra; Romanza, “Eri tu’’ (“Ballo in Maschera’’), Verdi, Signor Galassi; violin solo, “Sacterbesig (Norwe- gian = Pentasie Pastorale), Ole Bull, Mr. Ole Bull; “Conuais Tu Lo Pays’ (‘‘Mignon’ as ; ‘Hab inder Brust Ein Vodgelein,” G iv Holzel, wk; moreeauy i la. Gavotte, “L'In- genue,"” Arditi orchestra; ‘Merry Wives of Wind- ” Nicolai, orchestra; bolero, “Il Gitano,” Arditi, : Larghetto (Quintet : valse, “L'Incontro,” Arditi, “Resitativo Adagio, Amoroso e Ole Bull, Mr. Ole Bull; quick march, lieri,”’ Arditi, orchestra. ‘The great attraction in the performance of Ole Bull on the violin consists in his ability to illustrate emotion. He interprets @ musical idea with a grace and can scarcely be surpassed, certain. passages in his playing, however, the propriety of which, in an artistic sense, may well be questioned, be- cause every violinist in thi has made them more or less comnion: yet the fact is not t® be ignored that taken as a whole the art of the great virtuoso is distinetive, original and full of rugged strength. It may be truly said of him that he is the poet of the violin, expecially when illustrating some of his own splendid compositions, Nothing could be sweeter than his Norwegian ‘Fantasie Pastoral and recita- tivo adagio, “Amoroso e Polacca — Guerriera,”’ ax they were rendered last evening, and they well deserved the hearty encores of the audience that repeatedly cailed him to the platform. He was generous cnough to perform a nim- ber of arias in recognition of the compli- ment, Miss Minnie Hank, notwithstanding her indisposition of the previous day, was in admirable voice, and so exquisitely rendered the pieces assigned to. her that the audience in exch instance demanded a recall, to which she good na- turedly responded” by accompanying herself on the piano while she sang familiar songs. Galassi, too, was in fine voice, and added largely to the entertainment of the evening. Arditi ‘ompositions “L’Ingenue,” and the march, “I Besag- more enjoyable musical nt in Steinway Hall. 1 evening has rarely beeu MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, “Almost a Life” is. running to excellent houses at the Standard, ‘The Equescurriculum is now a fixture in Phila- delphia and is said to be doing well. ‘The Broadway has scored a hit in producing “The Messenger from Jarvis Section.” “Uncle Dan'l” is well worth an evening's visit. ‘The San Francisco Minstrels have no reason tocom- plain of a want of snecess, ‘They sing and dance to full houses every night. Aconcert is announced to take place to-morrow at Chickering Hall, when Miss Clementine Lasar and a number of other artists will appear. De Murska at the Grand Opera House to-night will sing a number of popular airs, and among them “Grandfather's Clock,”’ with chorus. The crowds that flock to Tony Pastor's Theatre show that the variety business must be a paying New attractions are advertised for the coming one. week. Mrs, Anna Granger Dow, Miss Anna Drasdil, Mr. George Simpson and Mr. Franz Remmertz will sing “The Messiah” with the Oratorio Society in Brook- lyn, January 6, At the Grand Opera House John McCullongh com- mences an ongagement to-morrow evening that promises to be full of interest. He opens with “Cofiolanus” and a fine support. : Miss Rose Eytinge is announced to, appoar at the Brooklyn Park Theatre to‘morrow ‘evening in “A Woman of the Poople.” During the week she will appear in “Led Astray” and “Oliver Twist." At the Afch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, Denman Thompson is amusing crowded andiencos with his quaint pérsonation of Joshua Whiteoth, His en- gagement continues during the present week. At. the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, Miss Eme Roweau and the Colville Folly Company are en tering upon their second and last week, playing “Robinson Crusoe,” “Oxygen” and “Blue Beard, Miss Clara Louise Kellogy has been very ill since she left St. Lonis, and was table to appear in public on several occasions, It is said that Miss Kellogg was far from well when she left New York in the fall. Mies Hank will sing in the second concert of the Philharmonic Society “Ah Perfido,”’ by Beethoven, in the first part of the programme, and in the second | part two songs, one by Rubinstein and one by Sehubert. ‘The sale of tickets to the next Gerster opera night in Brooklyn opened on Friday morning, and in afew hours three-fourths of the entire house was disposed of, “I Puritani’’ has been selected for the per- formance, which takes place on Thursday next. A serenade is to be given to Mme. Gerster, at the | Clarendoa Hotel, and Siguor Campanini, at his resi- UPPLEMEN dence in Seventeenth strect, to-morrow night, after the performance of “Il Yalismano,” by leading mem- bers of Signor AvJiti’s orchestra, assisted by a mili- tary band. “Evangeline” is announced at Booth’s Theatre to- morrow evening, and it is promised that its pre- sentation shall be excellent. Among the actors are Gus Williams, Harry Josephs and Miss Clara Fisher. “Phe Babes in the Wood” will be brought out on Saturday, December 21. At the Park Theatre the Colville Folly Company commence an engagement on Monday, December 23. Robson and Crane, however, will muke the place merry until then, ‘Che “Two Dromios,” as illustrated by these excellent actors, is a play that ought to be seen by every member of the rising generation. It is said that Colonel Mapleson has a large school of children in London who are making themselves proficient in dancing. He doubtless intends to use them on the stage, provided he is not interfered with by the agents of some society which in the name of umanity generally: gocs for a rich man’s pocket- book. More aid is invoked for poor Venturoli, the para- lyzed danseuse, She is almost blind and unable to speak intelligently, A Christmas souvenir sent to the suffering girl through the HzRaLp office will be properly disposed of. She wants food, and if adde1 to it there are a few clothes suitable for a woman they will do novharm.* “Tho Merchant of Venice’ was never so hand- somely mounted or better played throughout than at the present revival at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, 'T scenes in Venice are beautifully and faithfully painted, the music is good, the cos- tumes and hangings are superb and the cast is ex- cellent. The portions of the text usually omitted are given entire. ‘The second public rehearsal of the Oratorio So- ciety will take place ut Steinway Hall Friday _after- noon, December 27, when “The Messiah" will be presented, Miss Minnie Hauk will make her first ap- pearance in America in oratorio on the occasion, ‘The other artists who will co-operate with the so- ciety are Miss Anna Drasdil, Mr. George Simpson and Mr. Franz Remmertz. A spectal performance of Rossini’s “‘Stabat Mater" is to be given at Brooklyn on Christmas night by leading artists of Mr. Maploson's’ troupe, with a grand chorus. Mme, Roze, Mme. Lablache, Signor Campanini and Signor Galassi are to appear. This will be Signor Campanini’s first appearance in Amer- ica in a concert of strictly sacred music, ‘The appearance of Mr. Joe Jefferson at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in his favorite character of Rip Van Winkle is one of the chief dramatic features of the season. The old actor has many friends, and his rentrée will be warmly welcomed. New scenery has been painted from Mr. Jefferson's own sketches, and new machinery introduced, to make the play as per fect as possible. One of the curious incidents connected with the presentation of the “Comedy of Errors” at the Park Theatre is that Mr. Robson, one of the Dromios, being afflicted with rheumatism, Mr. Crane, the other Dromio, was compelled at 4a moment's notice to imi- tate his limp and pain, and thus make the play con- sistent. On Friday these two comedians appear in the play entitled “The Bachelors.” Messrs. Harrigan & Hart, of the Theatre Comique, are giving some excellent variety performances. They have also shown their generosity in con- tributing a handsome sum to the fund of the fair lately held at the Cathedral. One of the pleasantest thoughts connected with actors is that they rarely ignore the poor, and the gentlemen above named have always been found at: the front. ‘The second public rehearsal of the Chickering Hall symphony concerts will take place on the 26th. The programme includes the overture to Medea,” by Bargiel; Beethoven's concerto in G major, No. 4, with the cadenza by Reinecke; romanza from the snite in A major, No. 3, by H. W. Nicholl (new); grand scena and aria, “Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster,” from “Oberon,” by Weber, and Mendelssohu’s symphony in A miuor, No, 3. Mrs. Anne Granger Dow will be the vocalist and Mr. 8. B. Mills the pianist. ‘ At the Reményi combination concert at Booth’s ‘Theatre to-night the Hungarian violinist will play Ernst's fantaisic on “Tl Pirdta,” for the first time here; the “Bridal March,” from “Lohengrin: Schubert's “Serenade,” and a waltz by Chopill. “The artiste of the Reményi troupe, with the addition of Mme. Sinico, Mme. Pisani, Signori Frapolli, Foli, Del Puente, Franceschi and Bisaccia, of the Mapleson opera troupe, will also appear in the varied pro- gramme to be presented. Notwithstanding the severe weather during the carly part of last week the attendance was quite large at the performances of “‘Doctor Klaus,”’ L'Arronge’s best production, at the Germania Theatre. This piece has now enjoyed a successful run of five consecutive weeks, To-morrow evening a new comedy by Feld mann, entitled “Der Rechnungsrath und seine Tocch ter,” will be performed; on Tuesday, “Der Kuss;" Wednesday, “‘Dector Klaus,”* and the balance of the week, “Jungferngift,” a comedy in five acts, by L. Anzengruber, Mlle, Kruse, a popular soubrette from the leading theatres in Germany, has been engaged by Manager Nenendorff, and is expected to arrive by the steamer Cimbria, The play which is now running at Wallack’s is one that fully maintains the traditions of the house. Though the original is German, “My Son” is very similar in design to the English domestic drama, and its success is weleome not only to the management but to all who desire the welfare of dramatic art. It has frequently been urged of late that the public taste had become so stimulated, if not vitiated, by the sensational and highly-spiccd condiments pro- vided by modern Frehch dramatists that no play had any chance of success which did not deal with adultery in some form or other. Now, “My Son" is free from even a suggestion of sensuality; its motive is to show the all-absorbing love of a father for one child—his blindness to that child’s unworthiness and the sacri- fiees he is willing to make to keep his favorite from paying the penalty ot his wrongdoing. This story is told in highly drainatic form, and while it did not at once attract very large houses the audiences have steadily increased from the first, until now the busi- ness is so remunerative that there is no prospect of a change of bill for some weeks. Mr. Wallack has given the play @ tasteful mounting and a superb cast, which includes every member of his company except Mr. Coghlan, Mr. Gilbert's performance of the chief character proves that this great actor's creative pow- ers are as strong as ever, Mr. Barron has advanced one more step in public favor by his excellent acting of a lover, and though these actors are rendered con- spicnous by their parts the others are almost equally worthy of distinction. Many will bo glad to learn that Mr. W. R. Floyd has sufficiently recovered to play the part first intended for him. 'THE DRAMA AMONG THE BOYS. ASPIRING EFFORTS OF THE GRAND DUKE'S THE ATRE IN AMERICAN HISTRIONIC ART. The company of the Grand Duke's Theatre, on Water street, expect to have a prosperous season at their new establishment. The youth of the Sixth ward are deeply interested in the success of the ven- . which i# on a much larger and more elegant scale than the humble beginning in Baxter street. ‘The members of the company were scattered around var! convivial resorts in Water and Baxter streets on Thursday afternoon, and were feeling cheerful over the auspicious opening of the night before. A Heras reporter happened to meet the lessee and ninuager, Pete Connors; the business manager, Michael Kellinéng the treasurer, John Shay, and the stage manager, George Hawthorn, “When was the Graud Duke Theatre started, Pete?’ was asked of a tall youth, who is boss of the gang. Pete, looking up at the ceiling with one eye, replied, “Lem me see, Guess ‘twas “bout the time that snoozer the Grand Dook was aroun’ here—some six or seven years ago, It was started at No, 21 Baxter street, and had an entrance on that street for about three years, and then an alteration was made, and the entrance was from Worth street for four years after.” “Have you the same company now you had then? “No; severial of them (with an air of pride) have gone into the professional business, There's Conroy, who is playing Irish comedian in Troy; the three Gorman brothers, clog and jig dancers, gone off with a variety show; Frank Bush, imitative artist, in Josh Hart's company; West joined Neil Bryant; do in Mealio went with Harrigan & Hart: Master Dunn has been with Tony Pastor, and Tommy Wing played wigh Johu Brougham in ‘Around the Clock,’ 5 at the Grand 0; use, he Graud Dook Theatre.” y strength of the company All of “em gradjeratil at but we don't pts amon, ceps a little am he company numbers tei salaries. We jest divide the r * he work between you / e a rehearsal once « week, on » manager nakes ont a list of what each man has to do, but it don’t take him more nor a tow urinutes,” “Are your jokes all prepared for the oceasion “Oh, not be a darned sight, We gets off jo! never ave a thinkin’ about when on the stage?” “What performance had the longest run with you ?”* “Well, we run a pantomime ¢ Sword’ for six weeks in Christma atre was crowded every night, a penses, though it costa good a . We gave a variety performance in Hovley’s Hous for one week, two years ago, to crowded uses. The first benetit we gave was for the poor of ath ward, the next was for the Five Points’ Mission and another was for Dan Bryant, but we ve lots of benefits for performers in the company.” © Hawthorn, who fills the duties of stage Manager, general performer and playwright, and is stilla minor, said thyt while the play of “Ambition’” ix not entirely his, it is still an Ameriean play, so fixed up by his hand-that a New York audience, and more expecially one from Water street, can thoroughly appreciate its points. His cmendations aro principally in the uxiness of the play, aud he improves on the original by making the character of Arthur Pembyoke in ‘Ambition’? more of a dead beat than a sport. Lush, the bummer, is an ash cart inspector at first, but he aspires to be an inspector of lamp posts, and Pem- broke fecas him with the notion that he has sufficient political influence to get it for him and thus lives off Lush. There are many interpolations in the text suited to the current period. George was asked if he was engaged on any new aud he said, “Yes; th xt play will be a stun- but we've got to ark about’ it, there arc 60 ¥ people around ly to steal.’’ What class of performer do you find to be the most popular?” “The Trish first, then the darky, and an English swell co’ in good « “Did you write the ‘Irish Caotehu , that was by John Conroy, ralled “The Magie times and the thee cl we more’n pay ex I for transformation pli ther of the coms pany, and was adapted from the “Shaughraun.” I$ wus better than the “Shanghraun. THE TARIFY AND THE TH TRE. ‘The price charged the first night of admission was twenty-five cents for any seat in the house, But ‘the tari’ from henceforth will be reason ably arranged as follows:—Boxes, 25 cents; or- chestra, 15 cents; balcony, 10 cents; gallery, 5 cents; and this seale of wimission, in’ the opinion of hugement, will prove agreea- bie to the public. ‘Ihe former Grand Duke Theatro stood on Baxter street, and left its mark on the his- trionic annals of that classic neighborhood. The present establishment dates a new departure in the career of the dramatic company attached to it, and it will be noted in the future as the home of strictly native art. No foreign plays or artists will be tol- crated—not even Italians trom Cork or anywhere else. Should any of the latter apply for an engagement their heads are in peril of being unceremoniously punched. The high purpose of this theatre will be to encourage native talent, and it has made a good beginning. Tho press will watch the enterprise with concern and lend ita helping hand. Why should not the unaided efforts of these brave and patriotic youths be noticed and rewarded quite as much 4s the more pretentious undertakings of theatres with larger treasuries and more expensive wardrobes? The audience on Thurs- day evening ranged in age from three years old to thirty, and gave itself up to the most enthusiastic interest in every point of the evening's entertain- ment. The drama was preceded by a merry series of variety performances, which nado the email newsboy and bootblack shriek with laughter until his sides ached. The new drop scene was the production of a Cherry strect artist and represented a windowless gray mansion perched on a mountain of green cab- bage and a blue river carrying a red steamboat up the side of a hill. The footlights consisted f six kerosene lamps with glass shades. Two red h lounges, stuffed with sawdust and bleeding at y pore, passed for boxes, while the orchestra stalls were represented by half a dozen two-legged forms and the bulcony and gallery faded away into stepladders and dry goods boxes. An inrprovement on the style of other theatres was the placing of the orchestra at the back ot the stage out of sight, the — notes of the bass fiddle being thrown into the yard Dehind and thus sparing the ears of the audience. The plot of the play to be given every evening wi as plain as a_cireus poster, Jimmy the bummer (Mr. Deyere), loved Moll Fogarty, the peanut girl (Mike Hayden), and so did Mr. James Casey, the ward pulitician (Mr. ‘Tim Sulli- yan), but Moll loved only Jimmy, and he was a hard case that got drunk, swore, lost his money, was locked up in the Tombs and sent to the Island by orders of the ward politician, to get him out of the way. This happened often, but Moll stuck to him all along in spite of Cusey’s threats and blandishments, and Jimmy Lush met in the long run. Murphy, the temperance lecturer, swore off, married Moil’ and started a liquor store of his own, though a verse of @ song he sang indicated another intention :— ‘Oh, nary a toe will this ebild go, But open a grocery store, And PU never go back till I've filled my sack On old Virginny’s shore, The language of the drama was terse and forcible, and it was nimbly handled by the various performers. Mr. Tim Sullivan's ward politician was a finished piece of acting. The way he took the roll of bills from the candidate for election and then sold him out was true to the life. Mr. Ed, MeKay, as Mizzle, the sharper, gave a keen insight into that villain’s unscrupulous ways. Mr. Dan She Slinggin, the bartender, was, perhaps, more untee! ing than the ideal of the character warranted. He thonght nothing’of Dreaking pitchers and chairs over the heads of e mers who declined to pay for their drinks, Still. it was a spirited represen- tation. Mr. Patrick Miles, as May, the colored ‘man, brought down the house, and it sl L be added even thecobweébs. Mr. Devere as the Bounding Bummer was certainly all the resonant terms imply. bounded over the. stage very lively and grabbed all drinks he could I nds on, Mr. George Hawthorn, author of the play, did the sport Mr. Arthur Pembroke) with rather a touch of extray- betting half a million dollars at the time and & carpet sack for a pocketbook. ‘The peanut girl (Moll Fogarty) had a bouncing representative in Mr. Mike Hayden, who, unfortunately, put his shoes so frequently through his skirts as to utterly 0 them tor future use, The marriage of Lush and tl peanut girl made the tablean and was accompanied by a vigorous breakdown. THE BULGARIAN THRONE, A BLISSFUL RULER. Custom House, Dec, 14, 1878, To THE Eprror or THE Herap:— The Bulgarians, you say, are looking to the world at large and America in particular for some one to manage or boss them. All right! Help them out and do the republicans in New York a good turn, Give them a king and with him Bliss, Send ‘Colonel George.” We can spare him. AN OFFICE-HOLDER, WHY NOT KING THOMAS? Loxa Brancu, N. J., 1878, To Tue Eprron or Tae Heratp:— Why-on earth don't somebody suggest ex-Col- lector Murphy for the throne of Bulgaria? He can make more out of hitherto non-remunerative real estate than any man in the country, He has had some experience, too, with Legislatures, and at any- thing connected with “general order” he’s the boss, ‘Tom wants a crown I think. OCEAN AVENUE, THE HERO OF THE BILLIONS, To THE Eprron or THE Hrratp:— The hell-bound guttersnipes that feed on the roasted carcasses of gold and silks and fine linen want @ rich loafer for King of Bulgaria and a toad- sticker of Balaam or a shark of the lobbying wilder- ness of thieves for the same; but the honest, toiling billions—aye, the very tens of thousands of the star- born muscle of humanity, whq is lingering, starving in the saloons because they are not rich bankers and infamous politicians and hair-breadth capitalists— will frown down any but that great, good man Denis Kearney for the American King of Bulgaria, a man that is fitted by still-born nature to rule over the bashee-bazouks, WILLIAM L. McKAY. Scuwan's Satoon, Dec. 12, 1878, THE “‘OWNEY” GOOD CANDIDATE. To THe Eprror or THe Heratp:— They sdy the Bulgarians are a bad lot, and that the King that is to be mtist bo a fellow who can make Rome howl if need bé, I know aman that will do the business of king for them right up to the handle, ‘That man is Owney Geoghegan. Owney is in danger of going ont of business in the Bowery, and he'll want a place where he can be the head of the gang, Make MeGlory his prime minister while you're about it, and you will have the blessing of the entire “force,” who have been trying to get them a good place ont of town for years pust. Bosides, your news from Bulgaria will be spicy reading very frequently, ‘The two can make a court so lively! POLICEMAN, A KNOCKDOWN ARGUMENT. To THe Eprron or THe Herann:— Sir—Purroy is the man, Those Bulgarians need some fellow who isn’t afraid of ‘em. Now Purroy would knock @ Bulgarian end ways if the misguided heathen should undertake to interfere at one of tho primaries with the nomination of the slate. He's a darling, and the quicker we send him to Bulgaria tho better off we—they will be, Then he comes of a long line of kings and would take right hold of the gov. ernmentas if he understood it. Aud he would get rich rapidly and we wouldn’t have to foot the bills, SXILL WARD,